File BP Claims Online for Lost Income

The Deepwater Horizon gulf oil spill began on April 20, 2010 when a massive explosion killed 11 workers and left a broken pipe spewing tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. In the ensuing weeks British Petroleum, the oil rig's owner, was unable to contain the BP oil spill, leading to extensive environmental damage from the Deepwater Horizon gulf disaster. Tens of thousands, and possibly hundreds of thousands, of individuals and businesses lost wages, income, and revenue. Learn how to file BP claims online for lost income.

Filing BP Claims Online

Under the terms of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, all oil companies running oil rigs and drilling operations must cover cleanup expenses for accidents and spills, and also must compensate residents and businesses who lose income, experience property damage or medical emergencies as a result of the oil spill. Congress passed this act in the wake of the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 in Prince William Sound, Alaska, and the current Deepwater Horizon gulf oil spill has triggered oil pollution act claims against BP.

BP Oil Spill Claims and Lost Income

Workers and self-employed persons who have lost income can file a BP oil spill claim using the BP system:

Step 1: Gather paystubs and business records that demonstrate past revenue. It's best to have a year's worth of revenue receipts or paystubs, especially if income is seasonal, to receive the highest payment possible to replace lost income.

Step 2: Go to the BP Claims Submission Form and complete the fairly simple online form. If you also have experienced property damage or medical injury or illness the form will direct you to file a claim for those issues as well.

Step 3: Wait for a customer service representative to contact you to investigate your claim.

BP Interim Payments

While waiting for your claim to be processed, the company has set up BP interim payments, a system that gets a check to workers and small business owners within 48-72 hours. The maximum BP pays out is $5,000 per month, but that is not the most anyone can receive from a claim; this is simply the maximum interim payment being issued. When a claim against BP is finalized, the remainder of lost wages, income or revenue will be paid out.